Career Essentials

Program Overview

Career Essentials is an applied certificate program that will provide the essential tools you need to be successful in your career. Build the knowledge, skills and confidence to find a rewarding job, advance your career and increase your success in further training. Career Essentials will help you meet your goals.

During your 20-week program you will have the opportunity to:

build fundamental digital/computer and keyboarding skills

assess your skills, interests, values and personal style

research the occupations and jobs that most interest you

set meaningful and realistic career goals

refresh the essential skills most relevant to your career goals

develop the tools you need to conduct a successful job search

add a variety of professional development achievements to your portfolio of skills

For the final component of your Career Essentials program you will work on-site with a local employer, in exchange for training, skill development, networking, and the opportunity to be considered for current and future employment opportunities.

Career Essentials is currently offered and supported only by Skills Training Allocation (STA), or through contractual arrangements with our sponsor. Sponsored students must be unemployed or underemployed Saskatchewan residents who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Graduates of the Career Essentials program may be found in a broad range of occupations and roles, from entry level to professional. The career you target will depend on your qualifications, skills, aptitudes, interests, and the opportunities currently available in your labour market.

Admission Method

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are funded by STA, or through contractual arrangements, for those approved to attend training. You may be eligible for the Provincial Training Allowance or continuation of EI benefits while attending.

Courses

You will use a variety of tools and activities to identify your personal career interests, preferences and values. The tools will include the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. You will also identify your transferable skills and begin to explore career options.Credit Units: 1Course Hours: 15.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab

CAPL 101

Labour Market Research

2

You will use a variety of resources to locate information on occupations and employers of interest. You will also gather and interpret current labour market information relevant to your career and employment goals. You will use the information you have gathered to revise and refine your career goals.Credit Units: 2Course Hours: 30.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory

CAPL 102

Career Action Plan

1

You will organize and analyze the information you have gathered in previous courses to find and choose the work placement that best meets your needs. You will be responsible for researching and selecting your own work placement, with assistance and support from your instructors. You will identify barriers to your career and employment success and discuss strategies for overcoming them. You will also set short term and long term career and employment goals.Credit Units: 1Course Hours: 15.0Prerequisites(s): CAPL 101Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory

COMP 108

Introduction to Digital Communication

1

You will receive instruction and practice in correct ergonomic and touch typing techniques to enhance your ability to communicate in a digital format. You will also use Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes to create emails and use features such as calendar, contacts and tasks.Credit Units: 1Course Hours: 15.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab

COMP 170

Basic Computer Operation

1

You will be introduced to the basics of computer concepts. Topics you will study include computer components, hardware and software, working in a graphical user interface, file management, word processing and the Internet. The general skills you learn in this course will prepare you for further courses such as word processing, spreadsheets and presentation graphics.Credit Units: 1Course Hours: 15.0Equivalent Course(s): COAP 342, COMP 170CE, COMP 182Potential Learning Method(s): Independent Study, Lecture/Lab, Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Work Based Delivery

You will learn about the importance of Essential Skills for Canadian employers, and verify your current level of Essential Skills using both formal and informal assessments. You will also compare your Essential Skills to the requirements of Canadian employers and set personal goals for improvement. Your studies will include an introduction to key strategies for building Essential Skills.Credit Units: 2Course Hours: 30.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory

CWEX 101

Applying Essential Skills

2

You will use a variety of learning resources and tools to practice and build the Essential Skills most important for your career. You will use the strategies you have learned to help conduct your job search and to improve your understanding of your preferred occupation.Credit Units: 2Course Hours: 30.0Prerequisites(s): CWEX 100Potential Learning Method(s): Lab/Practical

CWEX 102

Tools and Techniques to Find a Job

3

You will develop the knowledge, skills and tools required to conduct a successful job search, including a customized resume, cover letter, online job application and employment portfolio. You will also practice professional interviewing techniques and review current human resource strategies for job seekers. You will recognize the impact of social media on your career and job search.Credit Units: 3Course Hours: 45.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory

CWEX 103

Strategies for Workplace Success

3

You will review and practice a variety of employability skills valued by Canadian employers. You will improve your oral communication skills and demonstrate your ability to work as an effective team member. You will identify important service excellence behaviors and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to work well with people from indigenous and a variety of world cultures. You will also review Saskatchewan employment laws and practice sending effective business messages.Credit Units: 3Course Hours: 45.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory

WORK 128

Work Experience

0

You will apply the knowledge and skills you have gained during your classroom based courses in a real world setting. Your role in the work place will be determined by your interests and occupational goals, as well as the needs of your employer. Your work placement will give you the opportunity to show an employer what you can do and how you fit into their organization.Credit Units: 0Course Hours: 300.0Prerequisites(s): CAPL 102Potential Learning Method(s): Work Experience -Individual

PLAR & Transfer Credit

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

Transfer Credit

Student Awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. You don't have to be a brainiac to receive a student award. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 28,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.